Summer is the time for fun in the sun, going out with your friends, and sadly enough… class. Even though the summer term is not the most ideal, most universities require it in order to graduate. However, there are some cases in which summer term is actually beneficial and when it is not, so here are some pros and cons to help you decide whether or not you should try out summer term.
Summer term is pretty different from fall and spring. The classes are usually divided into Summer A/C or Summer B. Summer A usually takes place in the first half and Summer B is the second half, whereas Summer C is the entire summer.
Summer A and Summer B will likely be six-week courses that have two or three hour lecture times. Summer C would be probably an hour class time but it would consist of twelve-week courses.
In Florida, undergraduate students are required to take nine summer credit hours in order to graduate. Other states or private institutions will probably have different laws.
A lot of freshmen start in Summer B term, so you will probably find a lot of freshman on campus.
Also, professors tend to be a lot more strict on attendance and classes are a lot more fast-paced since the courses are only six weeks long. Keep that in mind if you cannot handle a fast-paced course.
Even though it may take up your summer fun, it is really not that bad. Summer classes are an amazing opportunity to really get to know your classmates, especially since your classes are a lot longer and attendance is a lot more strict. Therefore, you will be more connected to your classroom and can make a lot more friendships to heighten your summer experience.
Along with this, summer classes are usually easier since they are so short, because there are some classes that are so difficult and cannot be taught in a short duration of time.
Summer classes tend to only be one or two days a week, so this could also be better for your work schedule.
Campus tends to be a lot quieter in the summer, therefore you won’t have any issues with parking or with an overcrowded area; also, your classes will most likely not even be filled.
Besides all the benefits of summer, there are some negatives to look at.
Being that summer classes are so short, they are a lot harder to focus on and they are a lot more face-paced. If you do not thrive in a fast environment, then summer is not the best idea for you.
Most classes are not available in the summer, especially if they are junior or senior level courses. The reason for this is because the more difficult classes cannot be taught in a short amount of time.
Because there are less meeting times, professors are a lot more strict on attendance. Most courses do not even allow for one class to be missed or for you to be late at all. Therefore, if you have any vacations or you are not good at keeping attendance, taking summer classes can be detrimental on your record.
If you are going to school with tons of scholarships, make sure to check if your scholarships allow for summer term. A lot of scholarships are only eligible for the fall and spring semesters, so you could possibly have a huge debt if you do not check your scholarship terms.
Also, keep in mind that you cannot go on vacations during this time, so make sure to let your parents know ahead of time not to make any surprise trips.
Overall, the best decision depends on you. If you cannot attend classes and usually have big family vacations over the summer, it is not a good idea to do summer. However, if you need to graduate soon and have that requirement pending, you should try to put a hold on summer activities and get these requirements done.
If you work best in a fast-paced environment and prefer shorter-length courses, summer term is a great idea for you.
Summer term, at the end of the day, is not all that bad. It is only a small part of your day and usually is not as rigorous as you may think. Therefore, do not be afraid of summer term if you need it. It does not hurt to give it a shot.
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